Camera system, imaging apparatus, lighting device, and control method

ABSTRACT

A camera system includes a lighting device comprising a movable unit including a flash unit, an imaging apparatus, a setting unit, an operation unit, and a control unit. The setting unit sets an irradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from the flash unit. The operation unit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparation operation. The control unit performs driving control of the movable unit. When the operation unit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparation operation, the control unit performs driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flash unit. When the operation unit does not accept an operation for starting photographing preparation operation, the control unit does not perform driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flash unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/312,466, filed on Jun. 23, 2014, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-131671, filed Jun. 24, 2013, andJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-131672, filed Jun. 24, 2013, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to communication control of a lightingdevice capable of automatically changing the irradiation direction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, there has been known a type of flash photographing where theceiling or the like is irradiated with light from a lighting device, toirradiate a subject with diffusely reflected light from the ceiling orthe like (hereinafter, referred to as bounce flash photographing).Bounce flash photographing enables an object to be irradiated with lightfrom a lighting device, not directly but indirectly, so photographicexpressions can be made in soft light.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-145712 discloses animaging apparatus which switches gain for an image signal obtained froman imaging device, according to bounce information obtained from a flashdevice.

The technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-145712is, however, technology used in a flash device of which a user manuallychanges the irradiation direction (bounce angle), and does not take intoconsideration the flash device communicating various types ofinformation with an imaging apparatus to automatically change theirradiation direction. Accordingly, there is a concern that bounce flashphotographing may not be suitably performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found to be desirable to automatically change theirradiation direction and to enable bounce flash photographing to besuitably performed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a camera systemincludes a lighting device comprising a movable unit including a flashunit, an imaging apparatus, a setting unit configured to set anirradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from the flashunit, an operation unit configured to accept an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation, and a control unit configured toperform driving control of the movable unit, wherein, when the operationunit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, the control unit performs driving control of the movable unitfor irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flashunit, and wherein, when the operation unit does not accept an operationfor starting photographing preparation operation, the control unit doesnot perform driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the setirradiation position with light from the flash unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are a block diagram illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a camera system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of thecamera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of various processes of acamera main body according to auto bounce flash photographing in a firstembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of various processes of acamera main body according to the auto bounce flash photographing in thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of information transmissionpreparation processing of the camera main body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of information transmissionprocessing performed at the camera main body.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of bounce processing.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of autobounce data acquisition processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of bounce operationexecution instruction transmission processing.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of objectdistance calculation processing.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of ceiling(wall) distance calculation processing.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart ofirradiation direction deciding processing.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of bouncedriving control processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of various processes alongwith flash of a flash device, which includes bounce operation.

FIGS. 15A to 15B are diagrams illustrating turning ranges in thevertical and horizontal directions of a movable unit.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating detection results of arotary encoder in the vertical and horizontal directions.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams indicating allocations between a graycode and a turning angle of the rotary encoder.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating a data communication examplebetween the camera main body and the flash device via a terminal.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating a command list incommunication between the camera main body and the flash device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bounce flashphotographing scene.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of variousprocesses performed at the camera main body relating to auto bounceflash photographing in a second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of various processesperformed at the camera main body relating to the auto bounce flashphotographing in the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an irradiation direction of the flashdevice according to the orientation of the camera system.

FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B are a diagram illustrating a flowchart of variousprocesses performed at the camera main body relating to auto bounceflash photographing in a third embodiment.

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are a block diagram illustrating a schematicconfiguration of a modification of a camera system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail based on the appended drawings. FIGS. 1A through 2illustrate a schematic configuration of a camera system (including adigital camera, a lens, and a flash device) according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. The camera system according to thepresent embodiment includes a camera main body 100 which is an imagingapparatus, a lens unit 200 detachably mounted on the camera main body100, and a flash device 300 which is a lighting device detachablymounted on the camera main body 100. Note that the same components inFIGS. 1A through 2 are denoted with the same reference numerals.

First, an internal configuration of the camera main body 100 will bedescribed. A camera microcomputer (may be abbreviated to “CCPU”) 101controls the units in the camera main body 100. The camera microcomputer101 has a microcomputer built-in one-chip IC configuration including,for example, a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), an input and output control circuit (I/Ocontroller), a multiplexer, a timer circuit, electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), A/D and D/A converters, and soforth. The camera microcomputer 101 can perform control of the camerasystem using software, and perform various types of conditiondetermination.

An imaging device 102 is an imaging device such as a charge-coupleddevice (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device,or the like including an infrared cut filter, a low-pass filter, and soforth, in which an object image is formed by a later-described lensgroup 202 at the time of photographing. A shutter 103 moves the imagingdevice 102 to a position to shield the imaging device 102 from light,and to a position to expose the imaging device 102.

A main mirror (half mirror) 104 moves to a position where part of lightinput from the lens group 202 is reflected to form an image on afocusing screen 105, and to a position where the light input from thelens group 202 is retracted from an optical path (photographing opticalpath) to the imaging device 102. An object image is formed on thefocusing screen 105, and the formed object image is confirmed by a userthrough an optical finder which is not illustrated.

A photometry circuit (automatic exposure (AE) circuit) 106 includes aphotometry sensor within the circuit, which divides an object intomultiple regions and performs photometry at each region. A photometrysensor within the photometry circuit 106 senses an object image formedon the focusing screen 105 via a later-described pentagonal prism 114. Afocus detection circuit (AF circuit) 107 includes a ranging sensorincluding multiple range-finding points within the circuit, whichoutputs focus information such as the defocus amount of eachrange-finding point.

A gain switching circuit 108 is configured to amplify the signal outputfrom the imaging device 102. The camera microcomputer 101 performs gainswitching according to photographing conditions, user operations, or thelike.

An A/D converter 109 converts the amplified analog signal output fromthe imaging device 102 into a digital signal. A timing generator (TG)110 synchronizes input of the amplified analog signal from the imagingdevice 102 with the conversion timing of the A/D converter 109.

A signal processing circuit 111 subjects image data, converted intodigital signals at the A/D converter 109, to signal processing.

A communication line SC is an interface signal line between the cameramain body 100, lens unit 200, and flash device 300, which performcommunication of information such as exchange of data, transmission ofcommands, and so forth, with each other over the communication line SCwith the camera microcomputer 101 as the host. Serial communication atterminals 120 and 130 in FIG. 1B exemplifies 3-terminal type serialcommunication, as an example of SC communication. The terminal 120includes an SCLK_L terminal for synchronizing communication between thecamera main body 100 and lens unit 200, a MOSI_L terminal fortransmitting data to the lens unit 200, and a MISO_L terminal forreceiving the data transmitted from the lens unit 200. The terminal 120also includes a GND terminal connecting both the camera main body 100and lens unit 200.

The terminal 130 includes an SCLK_S terminal for synchronizingcommunication between the camera main body 100 and flash device 300, aMOSI_S terminal for transmitting data from the camera main body 100 tothe flash device 300, and a MISO_S terminal for receiving the datatransmitted from the flash device 300. The terminal 130 also includes aGND terminal connecting both the camera main body 100 and flash device300. FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a data communication example via theterminal 130. FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating timing of datacommunication. When transmitting data from the camera microcomputer 101to the flash microcomputer 310, data is serially transmitted by changingbits closer to the MOSI_S terminal to on/off in sync with an 8-bit clockof an SCK_S terminal. Conversely, when transmitting data from the flashmicrocomputer 310 to the camera microcomputer 101, data is seriallytransmitted by changing the bits closer to the MISO_S terminal to on/offin sync with the 8-bit clock of the SCK_S terminal. Note that, thoughreading/writing of a signal is performed at the leading edge of theSCLK_S signal in 8-bit (1-byte) communication in FIG. 18A, this 8-bitcommunication is performed by consecutively transmitting a command,command data, and data multiple times. FIG. 18B is a specific example ofinformation to be communicated, and is transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101 to the flash microcomputer 310 in accordance with acommand list in FIG. 19B described later.

For example, in a case of “auto bounce set/cancel from camera to flash”,80H in CS communication at the first byte, command No. 011 (0BH) at thesecond byte, and 01 (setting) of data (contents) at the third byte, areconverted from hexadecimal to binary and transmitted from the cameramain body 100 to the flash device 300.

Specifically, when the camera main body 100 transmits information to theflash device 300, the camera main body 100 transmits the command CS: 80Hto the flash device 300 as the first byte, and when the camera main body100 acquires information from the flash device 300, transmits thecommand SC 01H as the first byte from the camera main body 100 to theflash device 300. Subsequently, one of the camera main body 100 andflash device 300 transmits a number following the SC or CS in thecommand No. (converted into hexadecimal at the time of transmission) asthe second byte and setting item data as the third byte or the fourthbytes to the other. Communication of other information will be describedwith reference to the command lists indicated in FIGS. 19A and 19B asappropriate.

An input unit 112 includes an operation unit including a power switch, arelease switch, setting buttons, and so forth. The camera microcomputer101 executes various processes in response to input to the input unit112. Upon the release switch being operated in a first stage(half-pressed), a switch SW1 turns on, and the camera microcomputer 101starts photographing preparation operation such as focus adjustment,photometry, and so forth. Also, upon the release switch being operatedin a second stage (full-pressed), a switch SW2 turns on, and the cameramicrocomputer 101 starts photographing operation such as exposure,developing processing or the like. Also, the user can also performvarious settings of the flash device 300 mounted on the camera main body100 by operating the setting buttons and so forth of the input unit 112.A display unit 113 including a liquid crystal device or light emissionelement displays various set modes, other photographing information, andso forth.

A pentagonal prism 114 guides the object image on the focusing screen105 to the photometry sensor within the photometry circuit 106 and theoptical finder which is not illustrated. A sub mirror 115 guides lightinput from the lens group 202 and transmitted the main mirror 104 to theranging sensor of the focus detection circuit 107.

A orientation detection circuit 140 is a circuit configured to detectorientation difference, in which reference numeral 140 a denotes ahorizontal orientation detection unit configured to detect orientationdifference in the horizontal direction, and 140 b denotes a verticalorientation detection unit configured to detect orientation differencein the vertical direction, and reference numeral 140 c denotes afront-back orientation detection unit configured to detect orientationdifference in the front-back direction (Z direction). An angularvelocity sensor or gyroscope sensor is employed as the orientationdetection circuit 140, for example. Orientation information relating tothe orientation difference in each direction detected by the orientationdetection circuit 140 is input to the camera microcomputer 101.

Next, configurations and operation within the lens unit 200 will bedescribed. A microcomputer LPU (hereinafter, lens microcomputer) 201controls the units in the lens unit 200.

The lens microcomputer 201 has a microcomputer built-in one-chip ICconfiguration including, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, input and outputcontrol circuit (I/O control circuit), a multiplexer, a timer circuit,EEPROM, A/D and D/A converters, and so forth.

The lens group 202 is configured including multiple lenses including afocus lens, a zoom lens, and so forth. Note that the zoom lens may beomitted from the lens group 202. A lens driving unit 203 is a drivingsystem configured to move a lens included in the lens group 202. Thedriving amount of the lens group 202 is calculated within the cameramicrocomputer 101 based on output of the focus detection circuit 107within the camera main body 100. The calculated driving amount istransmitted from the camera microcomputer 101 to the lens microcomputer201. An encoder 204 is an encoder configured to detect the position ofthe lens group 202 and to output driving information. The lens drivingunit 203 moves the lens group 202 by a driving amount based on thedriving information from the encoder 204, to perform focus adjustment.An aperture 205 configured to adjust the amount of light emission passedthrough is controlled by the lens microcomputer 201 via an aperturecontrol circuit 206.

Next, the configuration of the flash device 300 will be described. Theflash device 300 is configured including a main body unit 300 adetachably mounted on the camera main body 100, and a movable unit 300 bheld so as to be turnable vertically and horizontally as to the mainbody unit 300 a. Note that the turnable direction of the movable unit300 b is defined with a side connected to the movable unit 300 b at themain body unit 300 a as the upper side in the present embodiment.

A microcomputer FPU (hereinafter, flash microcomputer) 310 controls theunits in the flash device 300. The flash microcomputer 310 has amicrocomputer built-in one-chip IC configuration including, for example,a CPU, ROM, RAM, input and output control circuit (I/O control circuit),a multiplexer, a timer circuit, EEPROM, A/D and D/A converters, and soforth.

A battery 301 functions as a power source (VBAT) of the flash device300. A step-up circuit block 302 is configured including a step-up unit302 a, resistors 302 b and 302 c used for voltage detection, and a maincapacitor 302 d. The step-up circuit block 302 steps up the voltage ofthe battery 301 to several hundred volts using the step-up unit 302 a,and causes the main capacitor 302 d to charge electric energy for theflash.

The charging voltage of the main capacitor 302 d is divided by theresistors 302 b and 302 c, and the divided voltages are input to an A/Dconversion terminal of the flash microcomputer 310. A trigger circuit303 applies pulse voltage to a later-described discharge tube 305, forexciting the discharge tube 305. A flash control circuit 304 controlsstarting and stopping of the flash of the discharge tube 305. Thedischarge tube 305 is excited by receiving the pulse voltage of severalKV applied from the trigger circuit 303, and emits light using electricenergy charged at the main capacitor 302 d.

A ranging unit 308 is a unit configured to detect distance to an objectusing a known method. The ranging unit 308 includes, for example, alight receiving sensor. The ranging unit 308 receives irradiation lightfrom the discharge tube 305 and reflected at an object in theirradiation direction (the light-casting direction) using the lightreceiving sensor, and detects distance to the object. Alternatively, theranging unit 308 may further include a light source for ranging, so asto receive irradiation light from the light source for ranging andreflected at the object in the irradiation direction using the lightreceiving sensor, and detect distance to the object.

An integration circuit 309 integrates a received photocurrent of alater-described photodiode 314, and output thereof is input to aninverted input terminal of a later-described comparator 315 and an A/Dconverter terminal of the flash microcomputer 310. A non-inverted inputterminal of the comparator 315 is connected to a D/A converter terminalwithin the flash microcomputer 310, and the output of the comparator 315is connected to an input terminal of a later-described AND gate 311.Another input of the AND gate 311 is connected to a flash controlterminal of the flash microcomputer 310, and the output of the AND gate311 is input to the flash control circuit 304. A photodiode 314 is asensor configured to receive the light emitted from the discharge tube305, and receives light emitted from the discharge tube 305 directly orvia a glass fiber or the like.

A reflection umbrella 306 reflects the light emitted from the dischargetube 305 to be guided in a predetermined direction. A zoom opticalsystem 307 including an optical panel and so forth of which a relativeposition as to the discharge tube 305 is changeably held can change theguide number and irradiation range (light-casting range) of the flashdevice 300 by changing the relative position between the discharge tube305 and zoom optical system 307. The flash unit of the flash device 300principally is configured including the discharge tube 305, reflectionumbrella 306, and zoom optical system 307. The irradiation range of theflash unit is changed due to movement of the zoom optical system 307,and the irradiation direction of the flash unit is changed due toturning of the movable unit 300 b.

An input unit 312 includes an operation unit such as a power switch, amode setting switch for setting the operation mode of the flash device300, setting buttons for setting various parameters, and so forth. Theflash microcomputer 310 executes various processes in response to inputto the input unit 312.

A display unit 313 including a liquid crystal device or light emissionelement displays the states of the flash device 300.

A zoom driving circuit 330 is configured including a zoom detection unit330 a configured to detect information relating to the relative positionbetween the discharge tube 305 and zoom optical system 307 using anencoder or the like, and a zoom driving unit 330 b including a motor formoving the zoom optical system 307.

The driving amount of the zoom optical system 307 is calculated by theflash microcomputer 310 which obtained focus distance information outputfrom the lens microcomputer 201 via the camera microcomputer 101 basedon the focus distance information.

A bounce circuit 340 is configured including bounce position detectioncircuits 340 a and 340 c configured to detect the driving amount of themovable unit 300 b (the turning angle of the movable unit 300 b as tothe main body unit 300 a) and bounce driving circuits 340 b and 340 dcausing the movable unit 300 b to turn.

The bounce position detection circuit (horizontal bounce detectioncircuit) 340 a detects the driving amount in the horizontal direction ofthe movable unit 300 b, and the bounce position detection circuit(vertical bounce detection circuit) 340 c detects the driving amount inthe vertical direction of the movable unit 300 b, using a rotary encoderor absolute encoder.

The bounce driving circuit (horizontal bounce driving circuit) 340 bperforms driving in the horizontal direction of the movable unit 300 b,and the bounce driving circuit (vertical bounce driving circuit) 340 dperforms driving in the vertical direction of the movable unit 300 b,using a known motor.

Now, description will be made regarding an example of the turning rangeand detection method of the movable unit 300 b of the flash device 300,with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C, 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B. FIGS. 15A to15C are diagrams illustrating turning of the movable unit 300 b in thevertical and horizontal directions, FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagramsillustrating outputs of rotary encoders in the vertical and horizontaldirections, and FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating allocationsbetween gray code of a rotary encoder and turning angles.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the movable unit 300 b is held in thevertical direction as to the main body unit 300 a in a turnable manner,and as illustrated in FIG. 15B, the movable unit 300 b is held in thehorizontal direction as to the main body unit 300 a in a turnablemanner. Now, assuming that the position in the vertical direction of themovable unit 300 b is in the state of 0 degrees in FIG. 15A, and theposition in the horizontal direction of the movable unit 300 b is in thestate of 0 degrees in FIG. 15B are reference positions of the movableunit 300 b. Indicators illustrated by a circle and a line in the statesin FIG. 5 correspond to the positions of the rotary encoders illustratedin FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 16A illustrates a configuration in which the turning angle in thevertical direction is detected by a rotary encoder using 4-bit graycodes, and FIG. 16B illustrates a configuration in which the turningangle in the horizontal direction is detected by a rotary encoder using4-bit gray codes.

The detection portions of the rotary encoder configured to detectturning in the vertical direction and the rotary encoder configured todetect turning in the horizontal direction have a known configurationusing a photo-reflector, photointerrupter, and so forth. The rotaryencoders output 0 as a white portion illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B,and output 1 as a black portion in the present embodiment. Also, turningoperation is determined at the leading edge of a bit change, and patterndata is read at the time of stopping.

As indicated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the rotary encoders output differentsignals depending on the turning angle of the movable unit 300 b,whereby the bounce position detection circuits 340 a and 340 c candetect the driving amount of the movable unit 300 b.

A orientation detection circuit 360 is a circuit configured to detectorientation difference, in which reference numeral 360 a denotes ahorizontal orientation detection unit configured to detect orientationdifference in the horizontal direction, reference numeral 360 b denotesa vertical orientation detection unit configured to detect orientationdifference in the vertical direction, and reference numeral 360 cdenotes a front-back orientation detection unit configured to detectorientation difference in the front-back direction (Z direction). Anangular velocity sensor or gyroscope sensor is employed as theorientation detection circuit 360, for example.

Next, description will be made regarding various processes performed atthe camera main body 100 relating to auto bounce flash photographing,with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Upon the power switch included in theinput unit 112 being turned on to activate the camera microcomputer 101of the camera main body 100, the camera microcomputer 101 starts theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 3.

In step S1, the camera microcomputer 101 initializes its own memory andports. Also, the camera microcomputer 101 reads the states of theswitches included in the input unit 112 and predetermined inputinformation, and performs setting of various photographing modes, suchas how to decide shutter speed, how to decide aperture, and so forth. Instep S2, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not therelease switch included in the input unit 112 has been operated and theSW1 is on. If the SW1 is on, the flow proceeds to step S3, and if theSW1 is off, repeats step S2.

In step S3, the camera microcomputer 101 performs communication with thelens microcomputer 201 within the lens unit 200 via the communicationline SC. Next, the camera microcomputer 101 acquires focus distanceinformation of the lens unit 200 and optical information used for focusadjustment and photometry. In step S4, the camera microcomputer 101determines whether or not the flash device 300 is mounted on the cameramain body 100. If the flash device 300 is mounted on the camera mainbody 100, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S5, and if notmounted on the camera main body 100, proceeds to S8 b.

In step S5, the camera microcomputer 101 performs communication with theflash microcomputer 310 within the flash device 300 via thecommunication line SC to acquire flash information, such as a flash ID,charging information indicating the charging state of the main capacitor302 d, and so forth, from the flash microcomputer 310. Also, the cameramicrocomputer 101 performs communication with the flash microcomputer310 via the communication line SC to transmit the focus distanceinformation acquired in step S3 to the flash microcomputer 310. Thus,the flash microcomputer 310 calculates the driving amount of the zoomoptical system 307 based on the received focus distance information, andmoves the zoom optical system 307 based on the calculated driving amountto change the irradiation range of the flash device 300 to a range inaccordance with the focus distance.

In step S6, the camera microcomputer 101 performs preparation fortransmitting information relating to the flash device 300 input via theinput unit 112 to the flash microcomputer 310 of the flash device 300.Here, the camera microcomputer 101 determines the information relatingto the flash device 300 input via the input unit 112 to convert thisinformation into the corresponding command transmission. Note thatdetails in step S6 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

In step S7, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the informationrelating to the flash device 300 prepared for transmission in step S6 tothe flash device 300. Note that details in step S7 will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 6.

In step S8 a, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not theset focus adjustment mode is an automatic focus adjustment (AF) mode. Ifin the automatic focus adjustment mode, the camera microcomputer 101proceeds to step S9 a, and if in a manual focus adjustment (MF) mode,proceeds to step S11. Note that steps for performing the same processingin the flowchart in FIG. 3 are denoted with the same reference numerals,such as steps S8 a and S8 b, for example. In step S9 a, the cameramicrocomputer 101 moves the focus detection circuit 107 to perform focusdetection operation according to a known phase difference detectionmethod. Also, in step S9 a, the camera microcomputer 101 decides arange-finding point for focusing from multiple range-finding points infocus adjustment, according to a known automatic selection algorismbased on the near-point preference concept, or user operations to theinput unit 112, or the like. In step S10 a, the camera microcomputer 101stores the range-finding point decided in step S9 a in the RAM withinthe camera microcomputer 101. Further, in step S10 a, the cameramicrocomputer 101 calculates the driving amount of the lens group 202based on the focus information from the focus detection circuit 107.Next, the camera microcomputer 101 performs communication with the lensmicrocomputer 201 within the lens unit 200 via the communication line SCto move the lens group 202 based on the calculated driving amount.

In step S11, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether to performoperation for automatically deciding the irradiation direction at thetime of bounce flash photographing (hereinafter, referred to as autobounce operation). Whether to perform auto bounce operation isdetermined based on the state of an auto bounce switch which switcheswhether to execute auto bounce operation included in the input unit 112or input unit 312, or the state of another camera main body 100, or thelike. In a case of executing auto bounce operation, the cameramicrocomputer 101 proceeds to step S12, and in a case of not executingauto bounce operation, proceeds to step S16.

In step S12, the camera microcomputer 101 executes processing relatingto auto bounce operation (hereinafter, referred to as bounceprocessing). Details of the bounce processing will be described laterwith reference to FIG. 7. After execution of the bounce processing, thecamera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the cameramicrocomputer 101 determines whether or not an error has occurred in theauto bounce processing. If an error has occurred in the bounceprocessing, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S14, and if noerror has occurred in the bounce processing, proceeds to step S16. In acase where an error has occurred in the bounce processing, informationindicating that an error has occurred in the bounce processing in stepS12 is transmitted from the flash microcomputer 310.

In step S14, the camera microcomputer 101 displays informationindicating that an error has occurred in the bounce processing, on thedisplay unit 113. Note that the camera microcomputer 101 may performcommunication with the flash microcomputer 310 to cause the flashmicrocomputer 310 to display information indicating that an error hasoccurred in the bounce processing, on the display unit 313 of the flashdevice 300.

In step S15, the camera microcomputer 101 switches to setting not toperform flash photographing (non-flash setting) and proceeds to stepS16.

In a case where determination is made in step S4 that the flash device300 is not mounted, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S8 bto determine whether or not the focus adjustment mode, set in the sameway as in step S8 a, is the AF mode. In a case of the AF mode, thecamera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S9 b, and in a case of the MFmode, proceeds to step S16.

In step S9 b, the camera microcomputer 101 executes the same processingas the processing in step S9 a, proceeds to step S10 b to execute thesame processing as the processing in step S10 a, and proceeds to stepS16.

In step S16, the photometry circuit 106 performs photometry, and thecamera microcomputer 101 acquires the photometry results from thephotometry circuit 106. For example, in a case where the photometrysensor of the photometry circuit 106 performs photometry on each of thesix divided regions, the camera microcomputer 101 stores, in the RAM,the luminance value of each region serving as the acquired photometryresult as EVb(i) (i=0 to 5).

In step S17, the gain switching circuit 108 performs gain switchingaccording to gain setting input from the input unit 112. The gainsetting is ISO sensitivity setting, for example. Also, in step S17, thecamera microcomputer 101 performs communication with the flashmicrocomputer 310 via the communication line SC to transmit gain settinginformation indicating the gain after switching to the flashmicrocomputer 310.

In S18, the camera microcomputer 101 performs exposure calculation usinga known algorism based on the photometry results (the luminance value ofeach region stored in the RAM) acquired in step S16 to decide anexposure value (EVs).

In step S19, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not acharging completion signal has been received from the flashmicrocomputer 310. In a case of having received the charging completionsignal, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S20, and in a caseof having received no charging completion signal, proceeds to step S21.

In step S20, the camera microcomputer 101 decides exposure controlvalues (shutter speed (Tv) and Aperture value (Av)) adapted to flashphotographing based on the exposure value calculated in step S18.

On the other hand, in step S21, the camera microcomputer 101 decidesexposure control values adapted to photographing for preventing theflash device 300 from emitting light (non-flash photographing) based onthe exposure value calculated in step S18.

After deciding the exposure control values in step S20 or step S21, thecamera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S22, and in step S22determines whether or not the release switch included in the input unit112 has been operated, and the SW2 is on. If the SW2 is on, the cameramicrocomputer 101 proceeds to step S23 in FIG. 4, and if the SW2 is off,returns to step S2.

The processing in step S23 and thereafter is processing relating toflash photographing, and processing relating to non-flash photographingis of the processing in step S23 and thereafter from which processingfor performing the main flash is omitted.

In step S23, the photometry circuit 106 performs photometry in a statein which the flash device 300 emits no light, and the cameramicrocomputer 101 acquires a photometry result at the time of non-flash(non-flash luminance value) from the photometry circuit 106. At thistime, the camera microcomputer 101 stores the luminance value of eachregion at the time of non-flash serving as the acquired photometryresult in the RAM as EVa(i) (i=0 to 5).

In step S24, the camera microcomputer 101 commands the flashmicrocomputer 310 to perform pre-flash via the communication line SC.The flash microcomputer 310 controls the trigger circuit 303 and flashcontrol circuit 304 to perform pre-flash at a predetermined amount oflight emission in accordance with this command.

In step S25, the photometry circuit 106 performs photometry in the statein which the flash device 300 is performing the pre-flash, and thecamera microcomputer 101 acquires a photometry result (luminance valueat the time of pre-flash) at the time of pre-flash from the photometrycircuit 106. At this time, the camera microcomputer 101 stores theluminance value of each region at the time of pre-flash serving as theacquired photometry result in the RAM as EVf(i) (i=0 to 5).

In step S26, the camera microcomputer 101 raises the main mirror prior104 to exposure, to retract the main mirror 104 from the photographingoptical path.

In step S27, the camera microcomputer 101 extracts the luminance valueEVdf(i) of a pre-flash reflected light component alone, based on theluminance value at the time of non-flash and the luminance value at thetime of pre-flash, as follows. The extraction is performed every sixregions.

EVdf(i)←LN2(2̂EVf(i)−2̂EVa(i)) (i=0 to 5)

In step S28, the camera microcomputer 101 acquires pre-flash information(Qpre) indicating the amount of light emission at the time of pre-flashfrom the flash microcomputer 310 via the communication line SC.

In step S29, the camera microcomputer 101 selects whether to set theamount of light emission suitable for the object of which region of thesix regions based on the range-finding points, focus distanceinformation, pre-flash information (Qpre) and bounce communicationcontents, and calculates the amount of main flash.

In the calculation of the amount of main flash, a relative ratio (r) isobtained regarding the amount of main flash suitable for the amount ofpre-flash as to the object of the selected region (P) based on theexposure value (EVs), object brightness (EVb), and the luminance valueEVdf(P) of the pre-flash reflected light component alone.

r←LN2(2̂EVs−2̂EVb(i))−Evdf(p)

Here, the reason why difference is obtained by subtracting expandedobject brightness (EVb) from the exposure value (EVs) is to performcontrol so that exposure at the time of irradiation of the flash lightwill be suitable, by adding the flash light to external light.

Also, a situation may occur where there is a highly reflective object(such as a golden folding screen or the like) within the photographingscreen, causing the reflected light component of the pre-flash toincrease, and the amount of main flash being calculated too small. Toprevent such a situation from occurring, there has been known processingin which when, detecting a highly reflective object within thephotographing screen, correction is performed to increase the calculatedamount of main flash. However, in a case of performing bounce flashphotographing, detection of a highly reflective object is not performed,so this correction is not performed. This is because even if there is ahighly reflective object within the photographing screen at the time ofbounce flash photographing, the highly reflective object is not directlyirradiated with flash light, so influence of the highly reflectiveobject on the reflected light component of the pre-flash is small.

In addition, the amount of main flash is not corrected according to thein-screen position of an object existing within the photographing screenat the time of bounce flash photographing, and so forth. As describedabove, correction is not performed of the amount of main flash accordingto the reflection ratio of an object existing within the photographingscreen, or the in-screen position of the object at the time of bounceflash photographing, which is normally performed at the time of flashphotographing, so the amount of main flash suitable for bounce flashphotographing can be calculated. The term “normal flash photographing”as used here means flash photographing that is performed by the movableunit 300 b being positioned in the reference position illustrated inFIG. 15.

In step S30, the camera microcomputer 101 corrects the relative ratio(r) using the shutter speed (Tv) when performing flash photographing andthe flash time of pre-flash (t_pre), and a correction coefficient (c)set beforehand by the input unit 112, and calculates a new relativeratio r, as in the following Expression.

r←r+Tv−t_pre+c

Here, the reason why correction is performed using the shutter speed(Tv) and the flash time of pre-flash (t_pre) is to correctly compare thephotometry integral value at the time of pre-flash (INTp) and thephotometry integral value at the time of main flash (INTm).

In step S31, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits information relatingto the relative ratio (r) for deciding the amount of main flash to theflash microcomputer 310 via the communication line SC.

In step S32, the camera microcomputer 101 instructs the lensmicrocomputer 201 to obtain the aperture value (Av) decided in step S20,and also controls the shutter 103 to obtain the decided shutter speed(Tv).

In step S33, the camera microcomputer 101 commands the flashmicrocomputer 310 to perform main flash via the communication line SC.Next, the flash microcomputer 310 performs main flash based on therelative ratio (r) transmitted from the camera.

Upon a series of exposure operations being thus completed, in step S34the camera microcomputer 101 lowers the main mirror 104 retracted fromthe photographing optical path to obliquely dispose the main mirror 104in the photographing optical path again.

In step S35, the camera microcomputer 101 amplifies the signal outputfrom the imaging device 102 with the gain set at the gain switchingcircuit 108, following which converts the signal into a digital signalat the A/D converter 109. Next, the signal processing circuit 111subjects the image data converted into the digital signal topredetermined signal processing, such as white balance or the like.

In step S36, the camera microcomputer 101 records the image datasubjected to the signal processing in the memory which is notillustrated, and ends the series of processing relating tophotographing. Next, in step S37 the camera microcomputer 101 determineswhether or not the SW1 is on. If the SW1 is on, the flow returns to stepS22, and if the SW1 is off, returns to step S2.

Next, details of step S6 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of information transmissionpreparation processing of the camera main body 100. In step S6, thecamera microcomputer 101 performs processing in accordance with theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 5. Details of the setting commands at thistime are described in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

In step S501, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not itsown camera is a camera capable of executing auto bounce operation(compatible camera). If the camera is a compatible camera, the flowproceeds to step S502, and if not a compatible camera, proceeds to stepS503.

In step S502, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS001 command (data01)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101, as preparation for communication between the cameraand the flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S504. On the otherhand, in step S503 the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS001 command(data 00)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101 as preparation for communication between the cameraand the flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or notsetting to execute auto bounce operation has been performed orcancelled. If the setting has been performed, the flow proceeds to stepS505, and if the setting has been cancelled, proceeds to step S506.

In step S505, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS011 command (data01)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101 as preparation for communication between the cameraand the flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S507. On the otherhand, in step S506 the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS011 command(data 00)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101 as preparation for communication between the cameraand the flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S507.

In step S507, the camera microcomputer 101 decides a method forobtaining distance to an object (distance measurement method) which isinformation for the camera main body 100 deciding an irradiationdirection most suitable for bounce flash photographing. The object hereis an object serving as a photographing target, and a reflection object(such as ceiling, wall, or the like) which reflects flash light at thetime of bounce flash photographing. Examples of the distance measurementmethod include “pre-flash method” for performing pre-flash to measuredistance to the object using the amount of reflected light of theobject, “flash ranging method” for measuring distance to the objectusing the ranging unit 308 within the flash device 300, and “cameraranging method” for measuring distance to the object using a focusadjustment result between the camera main body 100 and lens unit 200.The distance measurement method is not particularly restricted.

In a case where the ranging method has been set, the cameramicrocomputer 101 proceeds to step S508, and in a case where the rangingmethod has not been set, proceeds to step S509.

In step S508, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS091 command” in thebuilt-in memory (not illustrated) of the camera microcomputer 101 inaccordance with the setting contents of the ranging method aspreparation for communication between the camera and the flash device (Cto S), and proceeds to step S509.

As an example, determination between “object” and “ceiling” is allocatedto the upper four bits as 0 and 1 in order, determination between“pre-flash”, “flash ranging” and “camera ranging” is allocated to thelower four bits as 0, 1, and 2 in order, which are represented by acombination. In a case where both of the object and ceiling are set to“pre-flash”, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS091 command (data 0010)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101. Similarly, in a case where both of the object andceiling are set to “flash ranging”, the camera microcomputer 101 stores“CS091 command (data 01 11)”, and in a case where the object is set to“camera ranging”, and the ceiling is set to “pre-flash”, stores “CS091command (data 02 10)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of thecamera microcomputer 101.

In step S509, the camera microcomputer 101 determines the states of therelease switches. If both of the SW1 and SW2 are off, the flow proceedsto step S510, if the SW1 is on, proceeds to step S511, and if the SW2 ison, proceeds to step S512.

In step S510, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS151 command (data00)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S513. In step S511, the cameramicrocomputer 101 stores “CS151 command (data 01)” in the built-inmemory (not illustrated) of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceedsto step S513. In step S512, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS151command (data 02)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of thecamera microcomputer 101, and proceeds to step S513.

In step S513, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not thephotometry timer is in operation. The photometry timer is a timerconfigured to determine a period to perform photometry for switching toa power saving mode after performing photometry for a certain period oftime, and is in operation while performing photometry for a certainperiod of time. The photometry timer is included in the cameramicrocomputer 101, and starts time counting in sync with the SW1 beingturned on, for example. If the photometry timer is in operation, thecamera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S514, and if the photometrytimer is not in operation, proceeds to step S515.

In step S514, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS141 command (data01)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101 as preparation for communication between the cameraand flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S516. On the other hand,in step S515, the camera microcomputer 101 stores “CS141 command (data00)” in the built-in memory (not illustrated) of the cameramicrocomputer 101 as preparation for communication between the cameraand flash device (C to S), and proceeds to step S516. In step S516, thecamera microcomputer 101 stores other flash setting information in thebuilt-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds to stepS7.

Next, details of step S7 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of the informationtransmission processing of the camera main body 100. In step S7, thecamera microcomputer 101 performs the processing in accordance with theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 6. Details of the setting commands at thistime are described in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Note that serial communicationbetween the camera and the flash device in FIGS. 18A and 18B is employedin the processes in the flowchart in FIG. 7. Also, in FIG. 7, theprocesses performed at the camera main body 100 are illustrated in stepsS601 to S606, and the corresponding processes of the flash device 300are illustrated in steps S607 and S608.

First, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 will bedescribed. In S601, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the dataaccording to the determination result in step S501 to the flashmicrocomputer 310, and proceeds to step S602. In S602, the cameramicrocomputer 101 transmits the data according to the determinationresult in step S504 to the flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to stepS603. In S603, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the data accordingto the determination result in step S507 to the flash microcomputer 310,and proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the data accordingto the determination result in step S509 to the flash microcomputer 310,and proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the camera microcomputer 101transmits the data according to the determination result in step S513 tothe flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S606. In step S606,the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the data stored in step S516 tothe flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S8.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS607, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the data transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S608. In step S608, the flashmicrocomputer 310 stores the received data in the built-in memory of theflash microcomputer 310 and ends the processes.

Next, details of step S12 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of bounce processing, whichincludes the processes of the camera microcomputer 101 and flash device310.

In step S701, the camera microcomputer 101 receives auto bounce datafrom the flash microcomputer 310 and proceeds to step S702. Details ofstep S701 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S702, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not anauto bounce operation can be performed. Here, whether or not an autobounce operation can be performed is determined based on whether or notthe auto bounce operation of the flash device 300 can be performed,based on the auto bounce data set and received in the auto bounceoperation of the camera main body 100. In a case where auto bounceoperation can be performed, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds tostep S703, and in a case where auto bounce operation cannot beperformed, skips the bounce processing and proceeds to step S13.

In step S703, the camera microcomputer 101 performs preparation fortransmitting a bounce operation execution instruction, and in step S704transmits the bounce operation execution instruction. Details of stepS704 will be described later.

In step S705, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates object distance todecide the irradiation direction most suitable for bounce flashphotographing. Details of step S705 will be described later. Similarly,in step S706 the camera microcomputer 101 calculates ceiling (wall)distance to decide the irradiation direction most suitable for bounceflash photographing. Details of step S706 will be described later. Notethat which of the camera microcomputer 101 and flash microcomputer 310is to calculate object distance and ceiling (wall) distance, is decidedbased on the set ranging method.

In step S707, the camera microcomputer 101 decides the irradiationdirection most suitable for bounce flash photographing. Details of stepS707 will be described later. In step S708, the camera microcomputer 101performs bounce driving control so as obtain the optimal irradiationdirection in step S708. Details of step S708 will be described later.

In step S709, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a bounce operationcompletion instruction to the flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds tostep S13.

Next, the processes in the bounce processing will be descried in detail.

First, the auto bounce data acquisition processing in step S701 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the processes performedat the camera main body 100 are illustrated in steps S801 to S807, andthe corresponding processes of the flash device 300 are illustrated insteps S808 to S824.

First, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 will bedescribed. In step S801, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits acommand to confirm whether or not auto bounce can be performed at theflash device 300, to the flash microcomputer 310. Next, in step S802 thecamera microcomputer 101 receives a reply for confirmation regardingwhether or not auto bounce can be performed, transmitted from the flashmicrocomputer 310.

Next, in step S803 the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a command toconfirm a driving range for auto bounce to the flash microcomputer 310.Next, in step S804 the camera microcomputer 101 receives a reply forconfirmation of the driving range for auto bounce transmitted from theflash microcomputer 310.

Next, in step S805 the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a command toconfirm the ranging method for calculating object distance for autobounce, to the flash microcomputer 310. Next, in step S806 the cameramicrocomputer 101 receives a reply for confirmation of the rangingmethod transmitted from the flash microcomputer 310.

Lastly, in step S807 the camera microcomputer 101 stores the datareceived in steps S802, S804, and S806 in the built-in memory of thecamera microcomputer 101, and ends the processes.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS808, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the command transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S809. In step S809, the flashmicrocomputer 310 determines the contents of the command. In a case of“auto bounce availability confirmation”, the flow proceeds to step S810,in a case of “auto bounce driving range confirmation”, proceeds to stepS814, and in a case of “ranging method confirmation”, proceeds to stepS822.

In step S810, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not autobounce can be performed. If auto bounce can be performed, the flowproceeds to step S811, and if auto bounce cannot be performed, proceedsto step S812.

In step S811, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC000 command (data01)” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer 310 incommunication between the camera and flash device (S to C), and proceedsto step S813. On the other hand, in step S812 the flash microcomputer310 stores “SC000 command (data 00)” in the built-in memory of the flashmicrocomputer 310 in communication between the camera and flash device(S to C), and proceeds to step S813.

In step S813, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits the data stored instep S811 or step S812 as the reply regarding auto bounce availabilityconfirmation, and ends the processes.

In step S814, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not bothof the vertical direction and horizontal direction are available as thedriving range of auto bounce. If both are available, the flashmicrocomputer 310 proceeds step S815, and if only one is available,proceeds to step S818 to determine whether or not the horizontaldirection alone is available. If the horizontal direction alone isavailable, the flow proceeds to step S819, and if the vertical directionalone is available, proceeds to step S820.

In a case where both are available as the driving range, in step S815the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC020 command (data 00)” in thebuilt-in memory of the flash microcomputer 310 in communication betweenthe camera and flash device (S to C), and proceeds to step S816 a.

In step S816 a, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC030 command (dataXX (start) XX (end))” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer310 in communication between the camera and flash device (S to C) as thedriving range in the horizontal direction, and proceeds to step S817 a.

In step S817 a, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC040 command (dataXX (start) XX (end))” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer310 in communication between the camera and flash device (S to C) as thedriving range in the vertical direction, and proceeds to step S821.

On the other hand, in a case where the horizontal direction alone isavailable as the driving range, in step S819 the flash microcomputer 310stores “SC020 command (data 01)” in the built-in memory of the flashmicrocomputer 310 in communication between the camera and flash device(S to C), and proceeds to step S816 b.

In step S816 b, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC030 command (dataXX (start) XX (end))” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer310 in communication between the camera and flash device (S to C) as thedriving range in the horizontal direction, and proceeds to step S821.

Also, in a case where the vertical direction alone is available as thedriving range, in step S820 the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC020command (data 02)” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer 310in communication between the camera and flash device (S to C), andproceeds to step S817 b.

In step S817 b, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC040 command (dataXX (start) XX (end))” in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer310 in communication between the camera and flash device (S to C) as thedriving range in the vertical direction, and proceeds to step S821.

In step S821, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits the data stored insteps S815, S816 a, S816 b, S817 a, S817 b, S819, and S820 as a reply ofthe auto bounce driving range confirmation, and ends the processes.

In step S822, the flash microcomputer 310 determines a ranging methodfor calculating object distance for auto bounce.

If the ranging method has been set, the flash microcomputer 310 proceedsto step S823. In step S823, the flash microcomputer 310 stores “SC090command (data XXXX)” according to the ranging method and object settingcontents in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer 310, andproceeds to step S824. In step S824, the flash microcomputer 310transmits the data stored in step S823 as a reply of the ranging method,and ends the processes. If the ranging method has not been set, theflash microcomputer 310 transmits data indicating that not rangingmethod has been set in step S824.

As described above, the camera microcomputer 101 acquires auto bouncedata.

Next, the bounce operation execution instruction transmission processingin step S704 in the bounce processing will be described with referenceto FIG. 9. Details of the setting commands at this time are described inFIGS. 19A and 19B. In FIG. 9, the processes performed at the camera mainbody 100 are illustrated in steps S901 to S905, and the correspondingprocesses of the flash device 300 are illustrated in steps S906 andS907.

First, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 will bedescribed. In S901, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS031command (data XXXX)” for setting the driving range in the horizontaldirection at the time of bounce operation to the flash microcomputer310, and proceeds to step S902. In a case of not setting the drivingrange in the horizontal direction, this step is omitted. In step S902,the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS041 command (data XX XX)” forsetting the driving range in the vertical and horizontal directions atthe time of bounce operation to the flash microcomputer 310, andproceeds to step S903. In a case of not setting the driving range in thevertical direction, the present step is omitted. In step S903, thecamera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS121 command (data XX XX XX)” tothe flash microcomputer 310 as orientation difference informationindicating detection results of the vertical orientation detection unit140 a, horizontal orientation detection unit 140 b, and front-backorientation detection unit 140 c. In step S904, the camera microcomputer101 transmits other flash setting information to the flash microcomputer310, and proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the camera microcomputer101 transmits a bounce operation execution instruction to the flashmicrocomputer 310, and proceeds to step S705.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS906, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the data transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S907. In step S907, the flashmicrocomputer 310 stores the received data in the built-in memory of theflash microcomputer 310, and starts bounce operation.

As described above, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits the bounceoperation execution instruction to the flash microcomputer 310.

Next, the object distance calculation processing in step S705 in thebounce processing will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Detailsof the setting commands at this time are described in FIGS. 19A and 19B.Note that the processes performed at the camera main body 100 areillustrated in steps S1001 to S1006 in FIG. 10, and the correspondingprocesses of the flash device 300 are illustrated in steps S1007 toS1013.

First, the process of the camera main body 100 will be described. Instep S1001, the camera microcomputer 101 decides a ranging method forcalculating object distance, and proceeds to step S1002.

In step S1002, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or notthe ranging method is the pre-flash method. If the ranging methoddiffers from the pre-flash method, the flow proceeds to step S1003, andif the ranging method is the pre-flash method, proceeds to step S1004.

In step S1003, the ranging method differs from the pre-flash method, sothe camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS111 command (data XX)” to theflash microcomputer 310 as object distance information, and proceeds tostep S706. Note that in a case of having received that the rangingmethod is the flash ranging method as auto bounce data, the present stepis omitted.

In step S1004, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS131 command(data 00)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as pre-flash permission, andproceeds to step S1005.

In step S1005, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a pre-flashcommand to the flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1006, the camera microcomputer 101 receives the object distanceinformation from the flash microcomputer 310, stores the received datain the built-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds tostep S706.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS1007, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the data transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S1008. In step S1008, the flashmicrocomputer 310 stores the received data in the built-in memory of theflash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S1009.

Upon receiving pre-flash permission, in step S1009 the flashmicrocomputer 310 instructs the bounce circuit 340 so that theirradiation direction is in the direction toward the object, and thebounce circuit 340 causes the movable unit 300 b to turn.

After turning of the movable unit 300 b, in step S1010 the flashmicrocomputer 310 gives a pre-flash instruction to the flash controlcircuit 304 in accordance with the pre-flash command.

In step S1011, the flash control circuit 304 causes the discharge tube305 to perform pre-flash in accordance with the pre-flash instruction.

In step S1012, the ranging unit 308 receives reflected light ofpre-flash reflected at the object using the light receiving sensor, andcalculates object distance based on an integral value of the receivedreflected light.

In step S1013, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC110 command(data XX)” to the camera microcomputer 101 as object distanceinformation indicating the calculated object distance, and ends theobject distance calculation processing.

Thus, an object distance, for deciding the irradiation direction mostsuitable for bounce flash photographing, is calculated.

Next, the ceiling (wall) distance calculation processing in step S706 inthe bounce processing will be described with reference to FIG. 11.Details of the setting commands at this time are described in FIGS. 19Aand 19B. Note that, in FIG. 11, the processes performed at the cameramain body 100 are illustrated in steps S1101 to S1106, and thecorresponding processes of the flash device 300 are illustrated in stepsS1107 to S1113.

First, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 will bedescribed. In step S1101, the camera microcomputer 101 decides a rangingmethod for calculating ceiling (wall) distance, and proceeds to stepS1102.

In step S1102, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or notthe ranging method is the pre-flash method. In a case where the rangingmethod differs from the pre-flash method, the flow proceeds to stepS1103, and in a case of the pre-flash method, proceeds to step S1104.

In step S1103, the ranging method differs from the pre-flash method, sothe camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS101 command (data XX)” to theflash microcomputer 310 as ceiling distance information, and proceeds tostep S707. Note that in a case of having received as auto bounce data tothe effect that the ranging method is the flash ranging method, thisstep is omitted.

In step S1104, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS131 command(data 00)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as pre-flash permission, andproceeds to step S1105.

In step S1105, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits a pre-flashcommand to the flash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S1106.

In step S1106, the camera microcomputer 101 receives the object distanceinformation from the flash microcomputer 310, stores the received datain the built-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds tostep S707.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS1107, upon receiving a communication interruption, the cameramicrocomputer 101, the flash microcomputer 310 receives the datatransmitted from the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds to stepS1108. In step S1108, the flash microcomputer 310 stores the receiveddata in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer 310, and proceedsto step S1109.

Upon receiving pre-flash permission, in step S1109 the flashmicrocomputer 310 instructs the bounce circuit 340 so that theirradiation direction is now the ceiling direction, and the bouncecircuit 340 causes the movable unit 300 b to turn.

After turning of the movable unit 300 b, in step S1110 the flashmicrocomputer 310 gives a pre-flash instruction to the flash controlcircuit 304 in accordance with the pre-flash command.

In step S1111, the flash control circuit 304 causes the discharge tube305 to perform pre-flash in accordance with the pre-flash instruction.

In step S1112, the ranging unit 308 receives reflected light ofpre-flash reflected at the object using the light receiving sensor, andcalculates ceiling distance based on an integral value of the receivedreflected light.

In step S1113, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC100 command(data XX)” to the camera microcomputer 101 as ceiling distanceinformation indicating the calculated ceiling distance, and ends theprocesses.

Thus, the ceiling (wall) distance for deciding the irradiation directionmost suitable for bounce flash photographing is calculated. Next, theirradiation direction deciding processing in step S707 in the bounceprocessing will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Details of thesetting commands at this time are described in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Notethat in FIG. 12, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 areillustrated in steps S1201 to S1206, and the corresponding processes ofthe flash device 300 are illustrated in steps S1207 to S1212.

In step S1201, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or notdeciding the irradiation direction will be performed at the camera mainbody 100. In a case where both of the camera main body 100 and flashdevice 300 can decide the irradiation direction, though the irradiationdirection may be decided by either, the user may be allowed to seteither to decide the irradiation direction by operating the input unit112. Alternatively, in a case where only one of those can decide theirradiation direction, which of those is to be employed to decide theirradiation direction may automatically be set. If deciding theirradiation direction using the camera main body 100, the cameramicrocomputer 101 proceeds to step S1202, and if deciding theirradiation direction using the flash device 300, proceeds to stepS1205.

In step S1202, the camera microcomputer 101 references, in order todecide the irradiation direction, the object distance informationindicating the object distance calculated in step S705, and ceilingdistance information indicating the ceiling (wall) distance calculatedin step S706.

In step S1203, the camera microcomputer 101 decides the irradiationdirection most suitable for bounce flash photographing based on thereferenced object distance information and ceiling distance information.Specifically, the camera microcomputer 101 calculates the turning angleof the movable unit 300 b as the optimal irradiation direction. Themethod for calculating the turning angle is not restricted to anyparticular method as long as it is a method to calculate a turning anglebased on the object distance and ceiling distance. Representing thedistance to a subject from the exit surface of flash light of the flashdevice 300 by d, such as in the example of the bounce flashphotographing scene illustrated in FIG. 20, reflected light mostsuitable for the subject is obtained when reflecting flash light at theceiling portion at a distance of d/2 in the subject direction. In thiscase, representing distance to the ceiling by h, and the irradiationdirection most suitable for the horizontal direction by θ, θ is obtainedfrom Expression (1).

0=tan−1(2h/d)  (1)

Therefore, a turning angle as to the main body unit 300 a of themoveable portion 300 b can be calculated so that the irradiationdirection is θ. Note that, in order to handle a case where the movableunit 300 b does not readily turn to the calculated turning angle, anarrangement may be made in which a predetermined specified angle isselected based on the calculated turning angle, and the movable unit 300b is controlled to turn to the selected angle. In this case, a greaterspecified angle than the calculated turning angle is selected.Specifically, the movable unit 300 b is moved to a position farther awayfrom the reference position than the position of the calculated turningangle. This is because the front side of the subject is irradiated withmore reflected light from the ceiling in comparison with a case where asmaller specified angle than the turning angle is selected, and alsobecause the subject has to be prevented from being directly irradiatedwith flash light.

Upon completing the angle calculation, the camera microcomputer 101stores angular information indicating the calculated angle in thebuilt-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds to stepS1204.

In step S1204, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS071 (verticaldata XX)” and “CS081 (horizontal data XX)” to the flash microcomputer310 as the angular information indicating the calculated angle, andproceeds to step S708.

On the other hand, in a case where the irradiation direction is notdecided at the camera main body 100, in step S1205 the cameramicrocomputer 101 transmits “CS171 (data 00)” to the flash microcomputer310 as an angle calculation instruction, and proceeds to step S1206.

In step S1206, the camera microcomputer 101 receives the angularinformation from the flash microcomputer 310, stores the received datain the built-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds tostep S708.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS1207, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the data transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S1208. In step S1208, the flashmicrocomputer 310 stores the received data in the built-in memory of theflash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S1209.

In step S1209, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not theflash device 300 is to decide the irradiation direction. If deciding theirradiation direction at the flash device 300, the flow proceeds to stepS1210, and of not deciding the irradiation direction at the flash device300, ends the irradiation direction deciding processing.

In step S1210, the flash microcomputer 310 references the objectdistance information indicating the object distance calculated in stepS705, and ceiling distance information indicating the ceiling (wall)distance calculated in step S706, in order to decide the irradiationdirection.

In step S1211, the flash microcomputer 310 decides the irradiationdirection most suitable for bounce flash photographing based on thereferenced object distance information and ceiling distance information.The method for deciding the irradiation direction may be similar to thecase of deciding the irradiation direction at the camera main body 100,so description will be omitted.

In step S1212, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC070 (verticaldata XX)” and “SC080 (horizontal data XX)” to the camera microcomputer101 as the angular information indicating the calculated angle, and endsthe irradiation direction deciding processing.

Thus, the irradiation direction most suitable for bounce flashphotographing is decided.

Next, the bounce driving control processing of step S708 in the bounceprocessing will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Details of thesetting commands at this time are described in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Notethat in FIG. 13, the processes performed at the camera main body 100 areillustrated in steps S1301 to S1314, and the corresponding processes ofthe flash device 300 are illustrated in steps S1315 to S1330.

In step S1301, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or notbounce driving instruction is to be performed on the camera side. Ifperforming on the camera side, the flow proceeds to step S1302, and ifperforming that on the flash side, proceeds to step S1313.

In step S1302, the camera microcomputer 101 references the angularinformation calculated in step S707.

In step S1303, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS181 command(data 01)” to the flash microcomputer 310 to inform the flashmicrocomputer 310 that bounce driving instruction is to be performed onthe camera side, and proceeds to step S1304.

In step S1304, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS011 command(data 01)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as an auto bounce setting, andproceeds to step S1305.

In step S1305, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS021 command(data XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as an auto bounce drivingcondition, and proceeds to step S1306. The data here is “Both ofhorizontal and vertical: data (00)”, “horizontal alone: data (01)”, and“vertical alone: data (02)”.

In step S1306, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS031 command(data XX XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as the driving range in thehorizontal direction, and proceeds to step S1307. In step S1307, thecamera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS041 command (data XX XX)” to theflash microcomputer 310 as the driving range in the vertical direction,and proceeds to step S1308.

In step S1308, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS121 command(data XX XX XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as orientationdifference information, and proceeds to step S1309 a.

In step S1309 a, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS161 command(data XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as operation speed informationindicating speed for causing the movable unit 300 b to turn (drivingspeed of the motor of the bounce driving circuit 340). The data here is“normal (reference speed) (data 00)”, “low speed (50% of referencespeed) (data 01)”, and “high speed (150% of reference speed) (data 02)”,but the data may further finely be set. Thus, speed for causing themoveable portion 300 b to turn is set changeably, whereby the operationsound of the motor for causing the movable unit 300 b to turn can be setin accordance with the scene. The speed for causing the movable unit 300b to turn is changed by user operations to the input unit 112.

In step S1310, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS051 command(data 01)” and “CS071 command (data XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310as a driving instruction in the vertical direction, and proceeds to stepS1311. In step S1311, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS051command (data 02)” and “CS081 command (data XX)” to the flashmicrocomputer 310 as a driving instruction in the horizontal direction,and proceeds to step S1312.

After completion of bounce driving, in step S1312 the cameramicrocomputer 101 transmits “CS051 command (data 00)” and “CS011 command(data 00)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as a stop instruction ofbounce driving, and proceeds to step S1314.

In a case of performing bounce driving instruction on the flash side, instep S1313 the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS181 command (data00)” to the flash microcomputer 310 to inform that bounce drivinginstruction is performed on the flash side, and proceeds to step S1309b.

In step S1309 b, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits “CS161 command(data XX)” to the flash microcomputer 310 as operation speed informationin the same way as step S1309 a, and proceeds to step S1314.

In step S1314, the camera microcomputer 101 receives the currentposition information from the flash microcomputer 310, stores thereceived data in the built-in memory of the camera microcomputer 101,and proceeds to step S709.

Next, the processes of the flash device 300 will be described. In stepS1315, upon receiving a communication interruption, the flashmicrocomputer 310 receives the data transmitted from the cameramicrocomputer 101, and proceeds to step S1316. In step S1316, the flashmicrocomputer 310 stores the received data in the built-in memory of theflash microcomputer 310, and proceeds to step S1317 a.

In step S1317 a, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not adriving error has occurred at the time of bounce driving, such asreaching the far end of the movable unit 300 b, or forcibly pressing themovable unit 300 b by the hand, or the like. If there is no drivingerror, the flash microcomputer 310 proceeds to step S1318, and if thereis a driving error, proceeds to step S1330.

In step S1318, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC060 command(data 00)” to the camera microcomputer 101 to inform that there is nodriving error, and proceeds to step S1319.

In step S1319, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or notbounce driving instruction is to be performed on the camera side. Ifperforming bounce driving instruction on the flash side, the flowproceeds to step S1320, and if performing bounce driving instruction onthe camera side, proceeds to step S1327.

In step S1320, the flash microcomputer 310 performs preparation forbounce driving in accordance with the instruction from the flash side,and proceeds to step S1321 a.

In step S1321 a, the flash microcomputer 310 references the angularinformation in the vertical direction calculated in step S707, andproceeds to step S1322 a.

In step S1322 a, the flash microcomputer 310 drives the motor of thebounce driving circuit 340 d to cause the movable unit 300 b to turn tothe calculated angle in the vertical direction.

In step S1323 a, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC050 command(data 01)” to the camera microcomputer 101 to inform that driving in thevertical direction is being performed, and proceeds to step S1317 b.

In step S1317 b, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not adriving error has occurred in the same way as in step S1317 a. If therehas been no driving error, the flow proceeds to step S1324 a, and ifthere has been a driving error, proceeds to step S1330.

In step S1324 a, the flash microcomputer 310 references the angularinformation in the horizontal direction calculated in step S707, andproceeds to step S1325 a.

In step S1325 a, the flash microcomputer 310 drives the motor of thebounce driving circuit 340 b to cause the movable unit 300 b to turn tothe calculated angle in the horizontal direction.

In step S1326 a, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “CS050 command(data 02)” to the camera microcomputer 101 to inform that driving in thehorizontal direction is being performed, and proceeds to step S1317 c.

In step S1317 c, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not adriving error has occurred in the same way as in step S1317 a. If therehas been no driving error, the flow proceeds to step S1328, and if therehas been a driving error, proceeds to step S1330.

After driving in the vertical and horizontal directions is completed, instep S1328 the flash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC051 command (data00)” and “SC011 command (data 00)” to the camera microcomputer 101 asdriving stop information, and proceeds to step S1329. In step S1329, theflash microcomputer 310 transmits “SC070 command (data XX)” and “SC080command (data XX)” to the camera microcomputer 101 as the currentposition information indicating the turning angle of the movable unit300 b after bounce driving, and ends the processes.

On the other hand, in a case of performing bounce driving instruction onthe camera side, in step S1327 the flash microcomputer 310 performspreparation for bounce driving in accordance with the instruction fromthe flash side, and proceeds to step S1321 b.

Hereinafter, the flash microcomputer 310 executes the same processes insteps S1321 b to S1317 e as the processes in steps S1321 a to S1317 c.

Thus, the movable unit 300 b is controlled to automatically turn in thevertical and horizontal directions so as to obtain the irradiationdirection most suitable for bounce flash photographing.

Next, processing accompanied with flash of the flash device 300including bounce operation will be described with reference to FIG. 14.Upon the power switch included in the input unit 312 being turned on toenable the flash microcomputer 310 of the flash device 300 to beoperated, the flash microcomputer 310 starts the flowchart illustratedin FIG. 14.

In step S1401, the flash microcomputer 310 performs initialization ofits own memory and ports. Also, the flash microcomputer 310 reads thestates of the switches included in the input unit 312 and predeterminedinput information, and performs setting of various flash modes such ashow to decide the amount of flash, flash timing, and so forth.

In step S1402, the flash microcomputer 310 starts operation of thestep-up circuit block 302 to perform charging of the main capacitor 302d.

In step S1403, the flash microcomputer 310 stores the focus distanceinformation acquired from the camera microcomputer 101 via thecommunication line SC in the built-in memory of the flash microcomputer310.

Note that, in a case where the focus distance information has beenstored, the flash microcomputer 310 updates this to new focus distanceinformation.

In step S1404, the flash microcomputer 310 displays an image relating tothe flash mode set at the input unit 312, an image relating to theacquired focus distance information, or the like on the display unit313.

In step S1405, the flash microcomputer 310 causes the zoom drivingcircuit 330 to move the zoom optical system 307 so that the irradiationrange of flash light is a range according to the acquired focus distanceinformation.

In step S1406, the flash microcomputer 310 detects the turning angle ofthe movable unit 300 b as to the main body unit 300 a using the bounceposition detection circuits 340 a and 340 c.

In step S1407, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not abounce operation execution instruction has been received. In a case ofhaving received a bounce operation execution instruction, the flowproceeds to step S1408 to perform the above bounce driving, and in acase of having received no bounce operation execution instruction,proceeds to step S1409.

In step S1409, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits the currentposition information indicating the turning angle of the movable unit300 b as to the main body unit 300 a after bounce driving to the cameramicrocomputer 101 as described above.

In step S1410, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not thecharging voltage of the main capacitor 302 d is equal to or greater thana predetermined value (completion of charging). In a case of equal to orgreater than a predetermined value, the flow proceeds to step S1411, andin a case of smaller than a predetermined value, proceeds to step S1414.

In step S1411, the flash microcomputer 310 transmits a chargingcompletion signal to the camera microcomputer 101, and proceeds to stepS1412.

In step S1412, the flash microcomputer 310 determines whether or not aflash start signal has been received as a flash command. In a case ofhaving received the signal, the flow proceeds to step S1413, and in acase of not having received the signal, returns to step S1402.

In step S1413, the flash microcomputer 310 instructs the flash controlcircuit 304 to perform flash in response to the received flash startsignal, the flash control circuit 304 causes the discharge tube 305 toflash in accordance with the flash instruction, and after completion offlash, returns to step S1402. Note that, in step S1413, in a case of aseries of flashes such as pre-flash for light control and the mainflash, the flash microcomputer 310 does not return to step S1402 untilthe series of flash is completed.

In a case where the charging voltage is smaller than a predeterminedvalue, in step S1414 the flash microcomputer 310 transmits a chargingincompletion signal to the camera microcomputer 101, and returns to stepS1402.

Thus, the processing accompanied with flash of the flash device 300including bounce operation is executed.

As described above, the irradiation direction most suitable for bounceflash photographing can automatically be decided, and communication ofinformation between the imaging apparatus and lighting device forperforming bounce flash photographing can suitably be performed in thepresent embodiment. Thus, bounce flash photographing can suitably beperformed by automatically changing the irradiation direction of thelighting device.

Note that the flowcharts described in the present embodiment are onlyexemplary, and that various processes may be executed in a sequencedifferent from those in the flowcharts described in the presentembodiment if there is no problem. Also, the commands, command numbers,and data items described in the present embodiment are only exemplary,these may be set in any way as long as they serve similar roles.

Second Embodiment

Bounce flash photographing has been performed according to JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 2009-163179 in which first half-pressing of therelease button is performed while directing the photographing lens tothe reflected surface to measure distance to the reflected surface,second half-pressing of the release button is performed while directingthe photographing lens to an object to measure distance to the object,and a bounce angle most suitable for bounce flash photographing iscalculated from each distance thereof, thereby performing bounceoperation. In the case of the technology disclosed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2009-163179, for example, when the orientation of thecamera is changed from the orientation in the horizontal position to theorientation in the vertical position, distance measurement has to beperformed again to calculate a bounce angle.

Therefore, in a case of detecting change in the orientation of thecamera to automatically drive a flash emission unit so as to constantlyobtain the same irradiation position, the flash emission unit isautomatically driven each time the orientation of the camera is changed,which makes electric power easy to consume, and also irks the user.

To this end, the present embodiment has been devised to enable drivingfor changing the irradiation direction to be performed at suitabletiming in a configuration in which driving for changing the irradiationdirection is automatically performed.

Note that a camera system (including a digital camera, a lens, and aflash device) according to the present embodiment is generally the sameas the camera system described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 2 inthe first embodiment, so detailed description will be omitted. It shouldbe noted, however, that the input unit 312 of the flash device 300according to the present embodiment also includes a selection button forselecting whether to fix the irradiation position by the flash device300, and a lock button for fixing the irradiation position. Also, thevarious processes described in the first embodiment with reference toFIGS. 5 to 20 are executed in the present embodiment, detaileddescription of which will be omitted.

Next, the various processes performed at the camera main body 100relating to auto bounce flash photographing will be described withreference to FIGS. 21 and 22. Upon the power switch included in theinput unit 112 being turned on to enable the camera microcomputer 101 ofthe camera main body 100 to operate, the camera microcomputer 101 startsthe flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21. Note that steps S101 to S110 b inFIG. 21 perform the same processes as steps S1 to S10 b in FIG. 3, sodescription will be omitted. Also, steps S121 to S130 in FIG. 21 performthe same processes as steps S13 to S22 in FIG. 3, so description will beomitted.

In step S111, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not theirradiation position by the flash device 300 is in a fixed state(hereinafter, referred to as under bounce lock). If the irradiationposition by the flash device 300 is not under bounce lock, the flowproceeds to step S112, and if the irradiation position by the flashdevice 300 is under bounce lock, proceeds to step S113. Whether or notthe irradiation position by the flash device 300 is under bounce lock isdetermined based on the state of the lock button included in the inputunit 112 or input unit 312. Note that, in a case of executing thepresent step for the first time after the power switch is turned on, aparticular irradiation position is not set, so the camera microcomputer101 may proceed to step S112 even though under bounce lock. In stepS112, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether to performoperation for automatically deciding the irradiation direction at thetime of bounce flash photographing (hereinafter, referred to as autobounce operation). Whether to perform the auto bounce operation isdetermined based on the state of an auto bounce switch for switchingwhether to execute auto bounce operation, included in the input unit 112or input unit 312, or another state of the camera main body 100. In acase of executing the auto bounce operation, the camera microcomputer101 proceeds to step S114, and in a case of not executing the autobounce operation, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S124.

In step S113, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether the objectdistance has been changed equal to or greater than a predetermined valueunder bounce lock. Specifically, the camera microcomputer 101 determineswhether or not difference between the last object distance detectionresult and the latest object distance detection result is equal to orgreater than a predetermined value. The amount of change in the objectdistance is calculated based on the focus detection result and the lensdriving result obtained in step S109 a and S110 a, and whether or notthe object distance has been changed equal to or greater than apredetermined value based on the calculation result. In a case wherethat the object distance has been changed equal to or greater than apredetermined value, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S112,and in a case where the object distance has not been changed equal to orgreater than a predetermined value, proceeds to step S115.

In step S114, the camera microcomputer 101 executes processing relatingto the auto bounce operation (hereinafter, referred to as bounceprocessing), and after execution of the bounce processing, proceeds tostep S118.

In step S115, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not theamount of change in the orientation of the camera system is equal to orgreater than a predetermined value based on the detection result of theorientation detection circuit 140 on the camera side or the orientationdetection circuit 360 on the flash side. Specifically, the cameramicrocomputer 101 determines whether or not difference between the lastorientation detection result and the latest orientation detection resultis equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In a case where theorientation has been changed by an amount equal to or greater than apredetermined value, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S116,and in a case where the orientation has not been changed equal to orgreater than a predetermined value, proceeds to step S118.

In step S116, the flash microcomputer 310 calculates the turning angleof the movable unit 300 b of the flash device 300 based on theorientation information of the camera system after change in theorientation so that the irradiation position by the flash device 300 isnot changed from that before change in the orientation of the camerasystem.

In step S117, the camera microcomputer 101 transmits angular informationindicating the calculated turning angle to the flash microcomputer 310.The flash device 300 drives the movable unit 300 b based on the angularinformation transmitted here.

The above-descried processing in step S113 is executed since, in a casewhere object distance has been changed greatly under bounce lock, theeffects of reflected light from the ceiling or the like to the objectgreatly change if the irradiation position is fixed. For example, in acase where the irradiation position is set so that an object at anobject distance of 2 m is irradiated with reflected light, but then theobject moves and the object distance is changed to 5 m, the amount ofreflected irradiation light greatly differs when the object distance is2 m and when the object distance is 5 m if the irradiation positions arethe same. Therefore, in a case where the subject distance changesgreatly under bounce lock, the camera microcomputer 101 executes thebounce processing to decide the irradiation position again.

Also, the processing in step S115 is executed, since in a case where theorientation of the camera system has been changed greatly under bouncelock, the irradiation position changes greatly in a state in which theturning angle of the movable unit 300 b of the flash device 300 is fixedas to the main body unit 300 a. Detailed description will be made withreference to FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrating the irradiation direction ofthe flash device 300 according to the orientation of the camera system.FIG. 23A illustrates the orientation of the camera main body 100 ofwhich the portion on which the flash device 300 is mounted is directedin the direction toward the ceiling (the lateral position of thecamera). Also, FIG. 23B illustrates the orientation of the camera mainbody 100 of which the portion on which the flash device 300 is mountedis directed to the horizontal direction (the vertical position of thecamera). For example, in a case where the irradiation position has beenset with the orientation of the camera system illustrated in FIG. 23A ina state in which the turning angle of the movable unit 300 b is fixed,the orientation of the camera system has been changed to the orientationof the camera system illustrated in FIG. 23B, the irradiation directionof the flash device 300 is changed greatly in a state in which theturning angle is fixed. Therefore, in a case where the orientation ofthe camera system has been changed under bounce lock, the cameramicrocomputer 101 executes calculation processing of the turning angleagain so that the set irradiation position is irradiated with the flashlight. As an example, in a case where the turning angle of the movableunit 300 b has been 90 degrees in the vertical direction with theorientation illustrated in FIG. 23A, the same irradiation position canbe set by setting the turning angle of the movable unit 300 b to 270degrees in the horizontal direction with the orientation illustrated inFIG. 23B.

Also, the process in step S113 and the process in step S115 are executedonly in the state in which the SW1 is on. Specifically, even in a casewhere the subject distance or the orientation of the camera system hasbeen changed greatly under bounce lock, resetting of the irradiationposition and re-driving of the movable unit 300 b are not performed ifthe SW1 is off. Thus, resetting of the irradiation position, andre-driving of the movable unit 300 b are prevented from being performedin a state in which it is unlikely that the user will shoot an image, sodriving of the movable unit 300 b can be performed at a suitable timingand power consumption can be suppressed.

In step S118, the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether or not thecurrent mode is a mode in which the irradiation position by the flashdevice 300 is fixed (hereinafter, referred to as bounce lock mode). Ifthe current mode is the bounce lock mode, the camera microcomputer 101proceeds to step S119, and if the current mode is not the bounce lockmode, proceeds to step S120. The bounce lock mode is set according to anoperation to the lock button of the input unit 112 at the camera side orthe lock button at the input unit 312 at the flash side, and it can besaid that the state in which the bounce lock mode is set is under bouncelock.

In step S119, the camera microcomputer 101 turns on a known bitindicating that the current mode is the bounce lock mode, so the bouncelock is set, and proceeds to step S121. On the other hand, in step S120the camera microcomputer 101 turns on a known bit indicating that thecurrent mode is not the bounce lock mode, so the bounce lock iscancelled, and proceeds to step S121.

The flow continues to step S131 in FIG. 22 after step S130 in FIG. 21,but steps S131 to S145 in FIG. 22 perform the same processes as stepsS23 to S37 in FIG. 4, so detailed description will be omitted.

As described above, bounce flash photographing can suitably be performedby automatically changing the irradiation direction of the lightingdevice in the present embodiment. Further, when employing aconfiguration in which driving for changing the irradiation direction isautomatically performed, driving for changing the irradiation directioncan be performed at suitable timing.

Note that the flowcharts described in the present embodiment are onlyexemplary, and various processes may be executed in sequences differentfrom those in the flowcharts described in the present embodiment as longas there is no problem. Also, the commands, command numbers, and dataitems described in the present embodiment are only exemplary, these maybe set in any way as long as they serve similar roles.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment according to the present invention willbe described with reference to FIG. 24. A camera system according to thepresent embodiment is the same camera system as those in the first andsecond embodiments, so description of the devices making up the camerasystem will be omitted. Also, communication between the camera main body100 and flash device 300 is also the same communication as those in thefirst and second embodiments, so description will be omitted. Thepresent embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that processingis included which fixes the irradiation position set by the user bymanually turning the movable unit 300 b. When the lock button isoperated in a state in which the user manually turns the movable unit300 b, the irradiation position set by the user manually turning themovable unit 300 b is fixed (hereinafter, referred to as under manualbounce lock).

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of various processesperformed at the camera main body 100 relating to auto bounce flashphotographing. FIG. 24 differs from the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21in that step S111-1 is included between steps S111 and S113. Others arethe same as the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21, so detaileddescription will be omitted.

In a case where determination is made in step S111 that the irradiationposition by the flash device 300 is under bounce lock, in step S111-1the camera microcomputer 101 determines whether the irradiation positionby the flash device 300 is under manual bounce lock. When theirradiation position by the flash device 300 is under manual bouncelock, the camera microcomputer 101 proceeds to step S115, and when theirradiation position by the flash device 300 is not under manual bouncelock, proceeds to step S113. Note that determination regarding whetherthe irradiation position by the flash device 300 is under manual bouncelock or under automatic bounce lock is performed based on the currentposition information of the movable unit 300 b when the lock button isoperated. For example, in a case where the angle calculated in thebounce processing differs from the angle indicating the current positioninformation, determination is made that the user has manually turned themovable unit 300 b.

As described above, processing to be executed is changed in the presentembodiment between a case of fixing the irradiation position manuallyset and a case of automatically fixing the irradiation position.Specifically, resetting of the irradiation position is not automaticallyperformed under manual bounce lock even when the object distance changesgreatly. This is because the irradiation position that the user hasmanually set is prioritized, thereby preventing a new irradiationposition from being set. On the other hand, when the orientation of thecamera system is changed greatly under manual bounce lock, the turningangle of the movable unit 300 b is recalculated. This is because theuser has to turn the movable unit 300 b to maintain the irradiationposition that he/she has manually set.

Thus, in the present embodiment, bounce flash photographing can suitablybe performed by automatically changing the irradiation direction of thelighting device. Further, driving of the movable unit 300 b for changingthe irradiation direction can be performed at suitable timing whilegiving the intentions of the user greatest priority.

Note that though camera systems wherein the lighting device is mountedon the imaging apparatus has been described in the second and thirdembodiments, control under bounce lock can also be applied to a lightingdevice housed in an imaging apparatus. Also, determination processingand turning angle calculation processing under bounce lock may beexecuted by the flash microcomputer 310 instead of the cameramicrocomputer 101.

Also, the second and third embodiments are to perform driving forchanging the irradiation direction at suitable timing, and conditionsfor changing the irradiation direction are not restricted to change inobject distance or change in orientation. Specifically, there may beemployed conditions for changing the irradiation direction regarding anyone of change in object distance and change in orientation, and in acase of a configuration including an object detection function, changein an object detection result may be employed as a condition.

Modification

Hereinafter, a modification of the above first to third embodiments willbe described with reference to FIG. 25. The camera system illustrated inFIG. 25 includes a terminal 131 separately from the terminal 130 as acommunication terminal configured to perform communication between thecamera main body 100 and flash device 300, which differs from the abovefirst to third embodiments. The terminal 131 in FIG. 1 illustrates anexample of 3-terminal type serial communication.

The terminal 131 includes an SCLK_BS terminal configured to synchronizecommunication between the camera main body 100 and flash device 300, aMOSI_BS terminal configured to transmit data to the flash device 300, aMISO_BS terminal configured to receive the data transmitted from theflash device 300, and a GND terminal connecting both of the camera mainbody 100 and flash device 300. Note that the communication speed of theserial communication of the terminal 131 is higher than that of theterminal 130. Though the processes to be executed at the camera mainbody 100 and flash device 300 in the bounce operation are the same asthose in the above embodiments, various communications a performed inthe present embodiment along with the bounce operation via the terminal131.

Thus, time up to directing the irradiation direction of the flash device300 to the irradiation direction most suitable for bounce flashphotographing can be reduced in comparison with communication with theterminal 130 alone, and missed photo opportunities can be avoided.Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed so far, the present invention is not restricted to theseembodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the essence thereof.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera system, comprising: a lighting devicecomprising a movable unit including a flash unit; an imaging apparatus;a setting unit configured to set an irradiation position which is to beirradiated with light from the flash unit; an operation unit configuredto accept an operation for starting photographing preparation operation;and a control unit configured to perform driving control of the movableunit, wherein, when the operation unit accepts an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation, the control unit performs drivingcontrol of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation positionwith light from the flash unit, and wherein, when the operation unitdoes not accept an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, the control unit does not perform driving control of themovable unit for irradiating the set irradiation position with lightfrom the flash unit.
 2. The camera system according to claim 1, furthercomprising an orientation detection unit configured to detectorientation information of the lighting device or the imaging apparatus,wherein the control unit performs driving control of the movable unitfor irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flashunit, based on a detection result of the orientation detection unit whenthe operation unit accepts an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation.
 3. The camera system according to claim 2,wherein, if an amount of change of orientation information detected bythe orientation detection unit is equal to or greater than apredetermined value when the operation unit accepts an operation forstarting photographing preparation operation, the control unit performsdriving control of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiationposition with light from the flash unit.
 4. The camera system accordingto claim 1, further comprising a distance detection unit configured todetect information relating to object distance, wherein, when theoperation unit accepts an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, the setting unit sets an irradiation positionwhich is to be irradiated with light from the flash unit based on adetection result of the distance detection unit.
 5. The camera systemaccording to claim 4, wherein, if an amount of change of distanceinformation detected by the distance detection unit is equal to orgreater than a predetermined value when the operation unit accepts anoperation for starting photographing preparation operation, the settingunit newly sets an irradiation position which is to be irradiated withlight from the flash unit.
 6. An imaging apparatus communicable with alighting device comprising a movable unit including a flash unit, theimaging apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set anirradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from the flashunit; an operation unit configured to accept an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation; and a control unit configured toperform driving control of the movable unit, wherein, when the operationunit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, the control unit performs driving control of the movable unitfor irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flashunit and, wherein, when the operation unit does not accept an operationfor starting photographing preparation operation, the control unit doesnot perform driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the setirradiation position with light from the flash unit.
 7. The imagingapparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an orientationdetection unit configured to detect orientation information of thelighting device or the imaging apparatus, wherein, when the operationunit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, the control unit performs driving control of the movable unitfor irradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flashunit based on a detection result of the orientation detection unit. 8.The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, if an amount ofchange of orientation information detected by the orientation detectionunit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when theoperation unit accepts an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, the control unit performs driving control of themovable unit for irradiating the set irradiation position with lightfrom the flash unit.
 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6,further comprising a distance detection unit configured to detectinformation relating to object distance, wherein, when the operationunit accepts an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, the setting unit sets an irradiation position which is to beirradiated with light from the flash unit based on a detection result ofthe distance detection unit.
 10. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein, if an amount of change of distance informationdetected by the distance detection unit is equal to or greater than apredetermined value when the operation unit accepts an operation forstarting photographing preparation operation, the setting unit newlysets an irradiation position which is to be irradiated with light fromthe flash unit.
 11. A lighting device to be detachably attached to animaging apparatus, the lighting device comprising: a flash unit; amovable unit including the flash unit; a setting unit configured to setan irradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from theflash unit; and a control unit configured to perform driving control ofthe movable unit, wherein, when the imaging apparatus to which thelighting device has been attached accepts an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation, the control unit performs drivingcontrol of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation positionwith light from the flash unit and, wherein, when the imaging apparatusto which the lighting device has been attached does not accept anoperation for starting photographing preparation operation, the controlunit does not perform driving control of the movable unit forirradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flash unit.12. The lighting device according to claim 11, further comprising anorientation detection unit configured to detect orientation informationof the lighting device or the imaging apparatus, wherein, when theimaging apparatus to which the lighting device has been attached acceptsan operation for starting photographing preparation operation, thecontrol unit performs driving control of the movable unit forirradiating the set irradiation position with light from the flash unitbased on a detection result of the orientation detection unit.
 13. Thelighting device according to claim 12, wherein, if an amount of changeof orientation information detected by the orientation detection unit isequal to or greater than a predetermined value when the imagingapparatus to which the lighting device has been attached accepts anoperation for starting photographing preparation operation, the controlunit performs driving control of the movable unit for irradiating theset irradiation position with light from the flash unit.
 14. Thelighting device according to claim 11, further comprising a distancedetection unit configured to detect information relating to objectdistance, wherein, when the imaging apparatus to which the lightingdevice has been attached accepts an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, the setting unit sets an irradiation positionwhich is to be irradiated with light from the flash unit based on adetection result of the distance detection unit.
 15. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein, if an amount of change of distanceinformation detected by the distance detection unit is equal to orgreater than a predetermined value when the imaging apparatus to whichthe lighting device has been attached accepts an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation, the setting unit newly sets anirradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from the flashunit.
 16. A control method for a camera system having a lighting devicecomprising a movable unit including a flash unit and having an imagingapparatus, the control method comprising: setting an irradiationposition which is to be irradiated with light from the flash unit;accepting an operation for starting photographing preparation operation;and performing driving control of the movable unit, wherein, whenaccepting includes accepting an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, performing driving control includes performingdriving control of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiationposition with light from the flash unit and, wherein, when acceptingdoes not accept an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation, performing driving control includes not performing drivingcontrol of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation positionwith light from the flash unit.
 17. A control method for an imagingapparatus communicable with a lighting device comprising a movable unitincluding a flash unit, the control method comprising: setting anirradiation position which is to be irradiated with light from the flashunit; accepting an operation for starting photographing preparationoperation; and performing driving control of the movable unit, wherein,when accepting includes accepting an operation for startingphotographing preparation operation, performing driving control includesperforming driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the setirradiation position with light from the flash unit and, wherein, whenaccepting includes not accepting an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, performing driving control includes notperforming driving control of the movable unit for irradiating the setirradiation position with light from the flash unit.
 18. A controlmethod for a lighting device to be detachably attached to an imagingapparatus, wherein the lighting device comprises a flash unit and amovable unit including the flash unit, the control method comprising:setting an irradiation position which is to be irradiated with lightfrom the flash unit; and performing driving control of the movable unit,wherein, when the imaging apparatus to which the lighting device hasbeen attached accepts an operation for starting photographingpreparation operation, performing driving control includes performingdriving control of the movable unit for irradiating the set irradiationposition with light from the flash unit and, wherein, when the imagingapparatus to which the lighting device has been attached does not acceptan operation for starting photographing preparation operation,performing driving control includes not performing driving control ofthe movable unit for irradiating the set irradiation position with lightfrom the flash unit.